Various weight-reducing technologies applied in Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd’s sport motorcycles recently won the company the 51st Oyamada Memory Prize by the Japan Institute of Light Metals (JILM).
The prestigious award recognizes weight-reducing and mass-production technologies Yahama used to create the aluminum fuel tank, titanium connecting rods, magnesium wheels and other parts on the 200 hp YZF-R1 model for export. Some 20,000 of the ultra-light (200 kg) bikes have been sold since 2015, with about 500 tons of light metal going into their manufacture.

Established in 1951, the JILM aims to promote the science and technology of light metals and the development of light metals industries. The institute is the only academic society in Japan for light metals including aluminum, magnesium and titanium. The Oyamada Memory Prize is awarded to recognize outstanding research leading to the establishment of groundbreaking technologies that enable the manufacturing and application of light metals across a spectrum of products.
aim of promoting the science and technology of light metals and the development of light metals industries, the JILM is the only academic society in Japan for light metals such as aluminum, magnesium and titanium.
Yamaha has received the Memory Prize three times previously, following mass production of forged aluminum pistons (1998), cylinder liners with a new rapidly solidified aluminum alloy extruded material (2002), and development of various aluminum motorcycle frames (2005).

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